The Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s rural and agricultural business accelerator program is helping startup companies across rural Oklahoma work toward profitability, connect with investors and find new customers. At Grassroots Demo Day in Oklahoma City, graduates of the program showcased their progress and introduced their businesses to the community.
Amarie Bartel, vice president of economic development at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, spoke with Associate Farm Reporter Carli Davenport about the event and how the accelerator supports entrepreneurs working to grow rural and agricultural businesses.
Grassroots Demo Day Showcases Oklahoma Startups
Bartel said Grassroots Demo Day serves as both a graduation celebration and a public demonstration for participants in the Oklahoma Grassroots Rural and Ag Business Accelerators program. “This is the graduation and public demonstration event for graduates of Oklahoma Grassroots Rural and Ag Business Accelerators, which is a program for startup companies from or supporting rural Oklahoma to debut their progress to the community,” Bartel said.
The event gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to share their work with people who may help them take the next step in building their businesses.
Bartel said the Oklahoma Farm Bureau hopes to connect participants with the resources and people they need to move forward, whether they are seeking financial support or trying to reach new customers. “Well, we hope honestly a variety of things, Carli,” Bartel said. “Some founders are raising funds, and we hope we connect them with investors. Others are looking for their first customers, and we try to get those folks in the room too.”
Rather than taking the same approach with every business, Bartel said the event is designed around the individual goals of each company. “We look at the goal of each company and try to curate an experience to help them chase their dreams,” Bartel said.
Six-Month Program Helps Businesses Work Toward Profitability
The accelerator program offers participants a six-month hybrid experience focused on helping startup companies develop their businesses and reach their goals more efficiently.
Bartel said the program combines several learning opportunities to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. “So it is a six-month hybrid experience where we are helping folks to reach profitability more efficiently,” Bartel said. “We do classes, mentorship, homework, and experiential learning, all to help those businesses reach their goals.”
Through these activities, participants receive opportunities to build their knowledge, learn from mentors and apply what they learn to their own businesses.
The program focuses on companies that operate in rural Oklahoma or provide support to rural communities, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs whose businesses are connected to rural and agricultural industries.
How to Get Involved With the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Accelerator
Entrepreneurs interested in the accelerator program, as well as people who want to learn more about the businesses participating in it, can find additional information through the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
Bartel encouraged interested individuals to visit okfarmbureau.org/accelerators to learn more about the program and opportunities to get involved.
Through the accelerator and events such as Grassroots Demo Day, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau is working to give rural and agricultural entrepreneurs opportunities to develop their businesses, build connections and pursue long-term growth.
